Jack finds it far easier to make a fool of himself in-person, and so has retreated to the annals of Tharunka for social assistance and a confidence boost. His primary interest is the intersection of literature, philosophy, and pop culture. Jack enjoys beer; you should consider buying him one.

Welcome to the Virtual Plaza

We are now in an age where the Internet is one of the most dominant cultural features of our lives. The question, therefore, can be asked: has the Internet facilitated the creation of new subcultures that, otherwise, are unlikely to have ever existed? My answer would be a firm yes, in the form of a deeply self-referential and ironic online subculture known as “Vaporwave”.

The Aesthetic of Isolation

Recently, I was thinking about why I enjoy drinking alcohol. Of course, all of the usual reasons still apply: I’m a little less hopeless with flirting when I’m buzzing, I can dance a little better, and sometimes, (worryingly) alcohol can take the edge off a tough week or something that’s sitting uncomfortably in the mind. Yet I think there’s a deeper layer, one which deserves extra attention and (an attempt at) clarification.